2005 - A Great Year for Farmland Protection in Washington County
The Agricultural Stewardship Association (ASA), a local land trust committed to the conservation of local farms and farmland, worked with eight dedicated land owners in 2005 to permanently conserve another 1,325 acres that will be forever available for agricultural use. ASA now holds agricultural conservation easements on 5,433 acres in Washington and northern Rensselaer Counties.
ASA partnered with The Conservation Fund to conserve the 225-acre Mulligan Farm, one of the most recognizable and appreciated landscapes along State Route 372 in Jackson. John Mulligan was born on the farm which had been in his family since 1909. He and his wife Shirley operated it under the name Shirlohn Farms. They were famous for their beautiful Belgian horses and also raised dairy cows and grew sweet corn, feed corn and hay. Before John Mulligan passed away last year, Mrs. Mulligan promised him that the farm would remain in agriculture.
Mrs. Mulligan has transferred the farm to members of the Spiezio family, reserving a life estate. Harold Spiezio, Jr. recalls driving by the farm as a child and being captivated by the beautiful landscape. Spiezio says "I worked off and on with John and Shirley on the farm for forty-seven years, since I was a kid. It was John's wish that it never be developed. I promised him that I'd never let that happen and I'm happy to be able to keep my promise."
Another project with The Conservation Fund resulted in the conservation in March of the 300 acre Beattie Farm on County Route 153 in Salem. Bob Beattie worked closely with ASA to place his farm under a conservation easement.
Three landowners in Easton, Granville and Hampton conserved their farmland by donating their development rights. Jeffrey Gaess, an avid sportsman, permanently protected the 122-acre farm he and his wife, Linda, enjoy in Easton. "Washington County is a diamond surrounded by sprawl and it must be protected", says Gaess, "in order to preserve farming, nature, recreation, commerce, and keep taxes lower." The Gaesses rent the land out to a neighboring farmer. The Gaess easement connects two farms already conserved, a 200-acre farm on Route 74 and a 311-acre farm on Route 74A.
Richard Hogan, who donated the 183-acre Hogan Hill Easement in Hampton in 1997 added 15 more conserved acres to the existing easement, and placed 97 additional acres of adjacent farmland under a new easement, a portion of which lies in Vermont. The agriculturally rich Poultney River Valley is noted for its good soils and stunning natural scenery.
Dr. Mannuccio Mannucci donated an easement on a 94-acre parcel of farmland on scenic State Route 22 in Granville containing cropland and woodlands. The Indian River, a popular fishing stream, runs through the property. The Dr. Mannucci and his wife, Nancy, have owned the property since 1970. The Mannuccis, who want to see the land remain in agriculture, rent the cropland to Parker's Dairy and the Gallaghers.
ASA administers the Purchase of Development Rights program for Washington County. In December 2005, we closed on two important projects, Anuszewski and Houser, which together resulted in the permanent protection of 470 acres in the agriculturally productive Route 40 corridor in the Town of Easton.
ASA is a nonprofit land trust. It was founded in 1990 by farmers and members of the local agribusiness community who anticipated growing development pressure in Washington County and decided to protect the valuable farmland that is the heart of the local economy. To date, ASA has assisted landowners in conserving 5,433 acres of farmland on 45 properties. Please consider joining ASA in its conservation efforts by becoming a member and volunteer. For more information, contact 692-7285 or send an email to asa@agstewardship.org.
